I have decided to start using a straight...

[Zen Master Kool-Aid]

When I first started shaving with a DE in June, I was hooked and I have been ever since. I never thought I would have the kiwis to use a straight razor and I never had the desire... that is, until I saw the Zowadas that a lucky bunch of you from B&B are scoring your whiskers with.

I just bought a lot of 3 straight razors off the 'bay for about 25 bucks. I haven't received them yet, but the idea is not to shave with them... I want to hone them and strop them until I get an idea of what I'm doing. I don't want to ruin a good shaving razor with bad honing technique.

I also plan on getting a 10 dollar strop and a Norton 4000/8000 grit. Of course, I will also be getting a copy of Lynn's straight razor DVD. Those items are currently in the works of being procured.

Really, its only a matter of time until I am shaving with damascus steel. That is actually the whole point of this exercise. I saw the layered grain of damascus and nothing compares to it. So I really want to hit the ground running with the straight shaving so I have an excuse to buy one.

Does anyone have any advice about how I can quickly become an advanced novice with a straight razor?

[Bacchus]

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28547

[Howard Newell]

My advice is to take your time. It's going to take a while to learn how to hone, strop, and get good shaves with a straight razor. I've been shaving with a straight razor for two years and it's still a learning process!

[Zen Master Kool-Aid]

My advice is to take your time. It's going to take a while to learn how to hone, strop, and get good shaves with a straight razor. I've been shaving with a straight razor for two years and it's still a learning process!

I keep reading that very same sentiment.
It's ok. I can be patient throughout the learning process, but I want to get started right away. I have the itch. I want to take the most direct path.

[Howard Newell]

The quickest way I can think of is to send two of your razors out to get honed and then use the third to try and teach yourself to hone and strop. Read all you can about stropping, shaving, and honing, and try to shave everyday with a straight. Your biggest obstacle will be honing and teaching yourself how to maintain a sharp edge. This is just my advice,and I'm sure other members will chime in with theirs.

[Phog Allen]

I agree with Howard about not jumping the gun. I started with one straight a couple of months ago. I wish I had an extra one or two laying around to practice honing with. THE biggest hurdle you will have to overcome when you first use it getting some motor memory with your hands vis a vis the razor. I felt like I was holding the razor with four thumbs when I actually tried to shave with it. Don't get me wrong. I grasped it correctly, held it at the proper angle(watched a LOT of internet shaving videos first), and promptly felt like I was rattling a dull wood plane down the edge of a rough cut hedge log. To say it was uncomfortable was an understatement. It just takes a few days to get a sensory memory of what your hand is doing compared to what your brain is telling it to do. The first three or four shaves took me about 45 minutes or more to do. If I got frustrated, I just put the thing down for a few minutes and then picked it up again. One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to have a confident stroke with the razor. NOT more pressure now! Just don't fiddle and futz with the thing. I caught myself watching the tip so much out of fear that I was not really watching how I was cutting. Big mistake. I gave myself a few weepers for sure. Truly, don't fear the straight. Just be aware that it is COMPLETELY unlike using a DE. At least to me. I would also echo Joel's admonition(from his interactive guide) to NOT do any sort of finish up with another razor. It only leads to not correcting mistakes with the straight. After a couple of weeks I KNEW I was hooked. Now I am attempting some honing and we'll see whether I bollocks it up or not.:biggrin: Do report your progress. It helps all us straight newbies to get proper feedback.

Regards, Todd

[Zen Master Kool-Aid]

The quickest way I can think of is to send two of your razors out to get honed and then use the third to try and teach yourself to hone and strop. Read all you can about stropping, shaving, and honing, and try to shave everyday with a straight. Your biggest obstacle will be honing and teaching yourself how to maintain a sharp edge. This is just my advice,and I'm sure other members will chime in with theirs.

Great advice from what else I've read.

HOWEVER... I have a shave-ready Boker on its way to my mailbox. I bought the bargain straights to learn honing and stropping - I will also shave with them to make sure I'm getting it right, but I want to learn how to shave with something sharp and ready to go.

[Zen Master Kool-Aid]

I agree with Howard about not jumping the gun. I started with one straight a couple of months ago. I wish I had an extra one or two laying around to practice honing with. THE biggest hurdle you will have to overcome when you first use it getting some motor memory with your hands vis a vis the razor. I felt like I was holding the razor with four thumbs when I actually tried to shave with it. Don't get me wrong. I grasped it correctly, held it at the proper angle(watched a LOT of internet shaving videos first), and promptly felt like I was rattling a dull wood plane down the edge of a rough cut hedge log. To say it was uncomfortable was an understatement. It just takes a few days to get a sensory memory of what your hand is doing compared to what your brain is telling it to do. The first three or four shaves took me about 45 minutes or more to do. If I got frustrated, I just put the thing down for a few minutes and then picked it up again. One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to have a confident stroke with the razor. NOT more pressure now! Just don't fiddle and futz with the thing. I caught myself watching the tip so much out of fear that I was not really watching how I was cutting. Big mistake. I gave myself a few weepers for sure. Truly, don't fear the straight. Just be aware that it is COMPLETELY unlike using a DE. At least to me. I would also echo Joel's admonition(from his interactive guide) to NOT do any sort of finish up with another razor. It only leads to not correcting mistakes with the straight. After a couple of weeks I KNEW I was hooked. Now I am attempting some honing and we'll see whether I bollocks it up or not.:biggrin: Do report your progress. It helps all us straight newbies to get proper feedback.

Regards, Todd

:ouch1:
Thanks!